Forward. Together.
Unama’ki – Cape Breton Economic Development & Population Growth Plan
Forward. Together. is Unama’ki – Cape Breton’s Economic Development and Population Growth plan, created through consultation of groups and individuals across the Island, and made for use by all organizations, communities, and individuals committed to success across Unama’ki – Cape Breton.
The plan was established with four key considerations:
collaboration, key opportunities, risks of inaction, and capitalizing on signs of economic recovery (post-Covid).
The Cape Breton Partnership will use Forward. Together. in its own planning and programming to propel the Plan’s goals and objectives, and invites all other local organizations, communities, and individuals to do the same, enabling this plan to help us all do better individually and collectively.
By embracing this plan, we adhere to a simple but important ideal:
“The only way to move forward, is to do so together.”
Reports & Downloads
The Forward. Together. document package is available for download below:
Essential Components of Forward. Together.
Vision: Unama’ki – Cape Breton is a growing and prosperous region known for its vibrant, diverse, inclusive, united, and welcoming population.
Mission: To grow the economy, workforce and population of Unama’ki – Cape Breton.
This strategic plan is guided by six guiding principles, identified and strengthened based on broad engagement with residents and newcomers to Unama’ki – Cape Breton, over 40 community and economic development stakeholders, and the board and staff of the Cape Breton Partnership.
These guiding principles are the core beliefs that define what the Plan holds at the highest level of importance and guides how the Plan’s actions will be carried out.
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- Collaboration and Community: We are all in this together.
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- Relationships and Reconciliation: We are all treaty people.
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- Energy and Optimism: A better future begins with better attitudes.
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- Inclusion and Diversity: The economy works best when it works for everyone.
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- People and Environment: Our greatest assets working in harmony.
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- Innovation and Creativity: Our creative spirit is the key to our success.
This strategic plan is founded on six strategic pillars, developed based on broad engagement with residents and newcomers to Unama’ki – Cape Breton, over 40 community and economic development stakeholders, and the board and staff of the Cape Breton Partnership.
The strategic pillars describe the end goals the Plan aims to achieve, with objectives as the desired outcomes of achieving those goals.
The success of Forward. Together., as Unama’ki – Cape Breton’s Economic Development & Population Growth Plan, depends upon a commitment for economic development partners on the Island to share a vision and work together.
The organizations and communities listed below will all play leading roles in the rollout and execution of Forward. Together., each contributing in reaching a number of goals and objectives. If you represent an organization, community, group, business, or even private resident not listed below but would like to commit to the goals and actions of this plan, please contact us.
Acknowledgements
The Project Team, consulting team, the many collaborators who contributed to this work and the board, staff and investors of the Cape Breton Partnership respectfully acknowledge that we live and work in Unama’ki, a part of Mi’kma’ki, the unceded and traditional territory of the Mi’kmaq people who have upheld their commitments to the Treaties of Peace and Friendship since 1725.
Forward. Together. was made possible through the financial support of the Government of Nova Scotia through the Department of Economic Development, the First Nation communities and municipalities of Unama’ki – Cape Breton through the Cape Breton Regional Enterprise Network and the CBRM Regional Enterprise Network, and the over 150 investors of the Cape Breton Partnership.
Thanks to the consulting team of David Campbell, Jupia Consultants Inc., and Aileen Murray of Mellor Murray Consulting for their work on the content of this report and to Vibe Creative Group for their work on document design and preparation.
Since 2019, the staff of the Cape Breton Partnership has led the community engagement, research, and development of Forward. Together. and the previous strategy that came before. Now, as this plan is finalized and rolled out, the Cape Breton Partnership will continue to take a leadership role in the assessment and future evolution of Forward. Together.. Thanks to the members of the Board of Directors and Staff of the Cape Breton Partnership from 2019 to 2024 for their consistent attention and work on preparing this document for action.
The responsibility of the execution of this plan’s goals and objectives, while adhering to its guiding principles, will belong to Unama’ki – Cape Breton’s Island-wide Growth Network: the organizations, institutions, businesses, communities, and leaders who are committed to the growth of our Island.
From 2019 to 2023, people from across the Unama’ki – Cape Breton were generous with their time, insight, and wisdom gained from personal experience. Their candour and willingness to contribute was critical to ensuring Forward. Together. is a plan for all of Unama’ki – Cape Breton – those who arrived and lived here long ago, those who are here now, and those whom we look forward to welcoming soon.